1 Samuel 30

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 30

When David was dismissed from the army of the Philistines he did not go over to the camp of Israel, but, being expelled by Saul, observed an exact neutrality, and silently retired to his own city Ziklag, leaving the armies ready to engage. Now here we are told, I. What a melancholy posture he found the city in, all laid waste by the Amalekites, and what distress it occasioned him and his men, 1 Sam. 30:1-6. II. What course he took to recover what he had lost. He enquired of God, and took out a... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:1-6

Here we have, I. The descent which the Amalekites made upon Ziklag in David's absence, and the desolations they made there. They surprised the city when it was left unguarded, plundered it, burnt it, and carried all the women and children captives, 1 Sam. 30:1, 2. They intended, by this to revenge the like havoc that David had lately made of them and their country, 1 Sam. 27:8. He that had made so many enemies ought not to have left his own concerns so naked and defenceless. Those that make... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:7-20

Solomon observes that the righteous is delivered out of trouble and the wicked cometh in his stead, that the just falleth seven times a-day and riseth again; so it was with David. Many were his troubles, but the Lord delivered him out of them all, and particularly out of this of which we have here an account. I. He enquired of the Lord both concerning his duty?Shall I pursue after this troop? and concerning the event?Shall I overtake them? 1 Sam. 30:8. It was a great advantage to David that he... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:21-31

We have here an account of the distribution of the spoil which as taken from the Amalekites. When the Amalekites had carried away a rich booty from the land of Judah and the Philistines they spent it in sensuality, in eating, and drinking, and making merry with it; but David disposed of the spoil taken after another manner, as one that knew that justice and charity must govern us in the use we make of whatever we have in this world. What God gives us he designs we should do good with, not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 30 This chapter relates the condition Ziklag was in when David and his men came to it, the city burnt, and their families carried captive by the Amalekites, which occasioned not only a general lamentation, but mutiny and murmuring in David's men, 1 Samuel 30:1 ; the inquiry David made of the Lord what he should do, who is bid to pursue the enemy; and being directed by a lad where they were, fell upon them, and routed them, and brought back the captives with a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:1

And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag, on the third day ,.... Either from their departure from thence, when they went out with Achish, or rather from the time of their leaving Achish, and the camp of the Philistines; so long they were upon their march homewards, see 2 Samuel 1:1 ; and no wonder, if it was the distance of eighty eight miles; see Gill on 1 Samuel 29:11 , that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag ; the southern parts of the land of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:2

And had taken the women captives, that were therein ,.... There being no other to take, the men were gone with David: they slew not any, either great or small ; that is, of the women, whether married or unmarried, old, or maidens, or children; which was very much, since David destroyed all that came within his reach, men and women, when he invaded them, 1 Samuel 27:9 ; but perhaps this was not owing to their humanity, but to their covetousness, designing to make an advantage of them... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:3

So David and his men came to the city ,.... Or however to the place where it had stood, and where it now lay in ruins: and, behold, it was burnt with fire ; the whole city was laid in ashes: and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives ; as it appeared afterwards; for upon their first coming they knew not but they were all destroyed; and which they might reasonably suppose from their former treatment of them, unless there were any left upon the spot... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:4

Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice ,.... In doleful shrieks, and loud lamentations: and wept, until they had no more power to weep ; till nature was quite exhausted, and no moisture left; so the Vulgate Latin version, "till tears failed in them"; they could shed no more. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:5

And David's two wives were taken captives ,.... Which is observed as one cause of his particular distress, and another follows in 1 Samuel 30:6 , Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite : that is, who had been his wife; for he was now dead, 1 Samuel 25:39 , and was so before she was married to David; both these came with him to Gath, and were left at Ziklag when he went with Achish, and here they were taken; see 1 Samuel 25:42 . read more

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